LIFE OF AVILSON. 
xxxiii 
" These ;ire some of my objections to tliis work, which, however, in other 
respects, does honor to the talents, learning, and industry of the compiler." 
In the month of October, 1804, Wilson, accompanied with two of hig 
friends, set out on a pedestrian journey to visit the far-famed cataract of 
Niagara, whereof he had heard much, but which he had never had an oppor- 
tunity of beholding. The picturesque scenery of that beautiful river, the 
vastness and sublimity of the cataract, as might be expected, tilled the bosom 
of our traveller with the most rapturous emotions. And he ever after 
declared, that no language was sufficiently comprehensive to convey an adequate 
idea of that wonderful curiosity. 
On the return of Wilson, he employed his leisure moments in writing a 
poetical narrative of the journey. This poem, which contains some inter- 
esting description, and pleasing imagery, is entitled "The Foresters;" and 
was gratuitously tendered to the proprietors of the Port Folio, and published 
in that excellent miscellany, in the years 1809-10. 
This expedition was undertaken rather too late in the season, and, conse- 
quently, our travellers were subjected to hardships of which they were not 
aware. Winter overtook them whilst in the Genesee country, in their return 
by the way of Albany ; and they were compelled to trudge, the greater part 
of the route, through snow, midleg deep. 
To Mr. Wm. Bartram. 
" Gray's Ferry, December 15th, 1804. 
"Though now snug at home, looking back in recollection on the long, cir- 
cuitous journey which I have at length finished, through deep snows, and 
almost uninhabited forests ; over stupendous mountains, and down dangerous 
rivers : passing over, in a course of thirteen hundred miles, as great a variety 
of men and modes of living, as the same extent of country can exhibit in any 
part of the United States — though in this tour I have had every disailvantage 
of deep roads and rough weather ; hurried marches, and many other incon- 
veniences to encounter, — yet so far am I from being satisfied with what I 
have seen, or discouraged by the fatigues which every traveller must submit 
to, that I feel more eager than ever to commence some more extensive expedi- 
tion ; where scenes and subjects entirely new, and generally unknown, might 
reward my curiosity; and where perhaps my humble acquisitions might add 
something to the stores of knowledge. For all the hazards and privations 
incident to such an undertaking, I feel confident in my own spirit and resolu- 
tion. With no family to enchain my affections; no ties but those of friend- 
ship ; and the most ardent love of my adopted country — with a constitution 
which hardens amidst fatigues ; and a disposition sociable and open, which can 
find itself at home by an Indian fire in the depth of the woods, as well as in 
the best apartment of the civilized; I have at present a real design of becom- 
ing a traveller. But I am miserably deficient in many acquirements abso- 
lutely necessary for such a character. Botany, mineralogy, and drawing I 
most ardently wish to be instructed in, and with these I should fear nothing. 
Can I yet make any progress in botany, sufficient to enable me to he useful, 
and what would be the most proper way to jDroceed ? I have many leisure 
Vol. I.— C 
